That's not a snow plow, but it's going to clear North Carolina roads

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- It may look like a snow plow, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation says a new contraption that you may see bolted to the front of its trucks is actually a "Gator Getter" - a device that lets workers drive at high speeds down the highway picking up those long strips of rubber left by deteriorating truck tires and other road debris.

The driver travels around 55 mph, lowers the device and scoops up the debris. Because the Gator Getter travels with traffic, NCDOT crews can avoid having to provide traffic control or close lanes for debris removal.

The device also improves efficiency, cutting what used to be a four-man operation down to one.

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